September 12, 2017

PHOENIX – During March 2018, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which is part of Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT), is coordinating activities throughout the state for the 36th annual celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM).

The events will focus on current efforts to preserve our past by protecting our fragile and non-renewable cultural resources. AAHAM combines education with entertainment to reach both adults and children in an effort to teach responsible stewardship of our cultural resources. Museums, historical societies, tribes, agencies, parks, and archaeology organizations will be hosting events across the state; events are also planned in Arizona State Parks as part of their interpretive programs.

Proclaimed by the Governor each year, this celebration will feature prehistoric and historic site tours, exhibits, hikes, open houses, lectures, demonstrations and other activities throughout Arizona. An electronic online statewide listing of these events and activities will be available in January 2018 by visiting azstateparks.com/archy.

The featured event for the month is the Arizona Archaeology Expo. This year’s Expo will offer many educational attractions for archaeology and history buffs, and will be held at Arizona Museum of Natural History on Saturday, March 10, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Expo is open to the public and is free. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is hosting the event.

The Expo will provide a special opportunity for visitors to learn more about why it’s important to preserve archaeological sites and historic places, what archaeologists, historians, and tribal members do in their jobs, and about the prehistory and history of Arizona. Additionally, the Expo will feature archaeology-related hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and other fun and educational events. Special displays and booths by archaeological and historical organizations, museums, Native American tribes, state and federal agencies, and others. In addition, docent led tours of Mesa Grande and raffle prizes will be offered throughout the day.